Elewana launches The Pamoja Fund

IN SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION & COMMUNITIES

Sustainable tourism sits at the core of The Elewana Collection and now, more than ever, conservation initiatives and care for the local communities is critical. To this effect Elewana’s conservation arm The Land & Life Foundation, is launching the ‘Pamoja Fund’ to support the people, places and wildlife who have been most impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. 

We do not stand alone in these principles and acknowledge our colleagues in conservation, who are all facing a very different challenge as a result of this crisis, so please read on for updates on wonderful work that many of our Partners are doing across East Africa.

‘Pamoja Fund’ Launched to Support Communities & Conservation

The Pamoja Fund has been set up to provide funding for initiatives that will aid and bring relief to communities and conservation efforts that have been adversely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will initially support five projects in areas neighbouring Elewana Collection properties.

Shanga by Elewana (Tanzania):

Shanga is a successful social enterprise, which employs people with disabilities to create unique, handmade high-quality jewellery, glassware and homeware incorporating recycled materials. The Pamoja fund will provide care packages for the employees with a disability and their families whilst the Shop and Workshop have not ceased operation but are functioning with reduced services.

  • $30 provides a care package for a family, which includes staple food items and sanitizing requirements for up to 2 months. There are 70 families we would like to support..

Additionally, you may continue to support Shanga with an order by viewing their catalogues at www.shanga.org/shop and via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Sales side of their operation has not closed and they ship worldwide with DHL.

shanga workshop

randilen waterhole views

Randilen WMA Crop Protection Project (Tanzania):

Randilen Wildlife Management Area, which directly borders the Tarangire National park, is a key dispersal area that offers a safe space for wildlife with more than 1,000 elephants using this migratory corridor.

Thanks to tourism funding from surrounding properties including Elewana Tarangire Treetops, Randilen has run a crop protection project protecting the community and elephants from human-wildlife conflict. The crop protection toolkit reduced community crop damage from elephants from 70% to 7% over four years saving the lives of many elephants. 

Due to the COVID-19 crises they have had a steep shortfall in funding. The Pamoja Fund is partnering with Randilen WMA to support these communities by helping them purchase toolkits to protect their crops from elephants so they may feed their families and sell their harvest.

With a donation to the Pamoja Fund:

  • $15 provides fuel for Ranger vehicles that patrol and help farmers protect crops
  • $200 provides 1 toolkit to protect crops

Karatu Program with Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro (Tanzania):

Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro has recently committed to providing meals for children at Mwema orphanage and Dageno Girls Center, supporting the community’s most vulnerable citizens during this time. Mwema welcomes those children living on the street by providing food, housing, education and general care, as well as works to promote family and labour reintegration. Dageno Girls Center is an entrepreneurial learning centre for approximately 100 girls including those that are unable to return home.

With a donation to the Pamoja Fund:

  • $10 provides two meals for one child for a week
  • $50 provides two meals for five children for a week
  • $250 provides two meals for 25 children for a week

mwema childrens center

Ololomei Kids

Masai Mara (Kenya):

The Land & Life Foundation and Aitong Health Centre have partnered for the past 9 years to provide medical supplies and equipment, free medical camps, and building the capacities of the Aitong staff through training, addressing core priorities of healthcare in the Maasai Mara. Since the partnership started in 2012, over 5,400 people have been treated free of charge thanks to our highly acclaimed volunteers from top hospitals in Kenya and abroad.

Show your support to the Aitong Health Centre today:

  • $10 provides a reflector jacket for one health worker / professional working at the frontline.
  • $25 buys one 100 litre water tank for hand-washing.
  • $50 provides one care package for a family of 10 people.
  • $50 provides one Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to one medical staff.
  • $3,500 will provide much needed repairs to the facility ensuring the safety of their staff and patients

Kitirua Conservancy in Amboseli (Kenya)

Formed in 2007 by leaders in Kenya’s safari industry - the Original Ker & Downey Safaris, Kenya Wildlife Trust is dedicated to three of Kenya’s most important ecosystems: Greater Mara, Samburu-Laikipia and Amboseli-Tsavo. We protect vulnerable predator populations, empower local communities and educate communities and stakeholders about conservation and environmental stewardship. KWT strongly believes that for predators to thrive, the communities who live in these fragile ecosystems, need improved access to healthcare and education services and enhanced livelihood opportunities. Most recently they have developed a COVID-19 response humanitarian initiative to create COVID awareness and prevention alongside educating the community about poaching and human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts. The Pamoja Fund will partner on fundraising efforts, which also include providing food rations to 16 rangers in Kitirua Conservancy who are working hard to protect wildlife and communities. With a donation to the Pamoja Fund:

With a donation to the Pamoja Fund:

  • $5 will provide 3 meals a day for one ranger
  • $25 will provide a family of 10 with reusable masks and soap for handwashing

randilen waterhole views

More information on these programs in Tanzania and Kenya can be found at the Land & Life Foundation website along with details on how you can join us in support with a donation.

Loisaba Conservancy & Lewa Conservancy Conservation Efforts

Loisaba Conservancy and Lewa Conservancy are two programs that the Elewana Collection has supported steadfastly over the years with financial funding thanks to guests at properties including Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp, Elewana Loisaba Star Beds, Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs, Elewana Lewa Safari Camp and Elewana Kifaru House.

These areas now face an estimated $1 million loss in revenue from tourism and other areas of income that would usually contribute toward wildlife security, conservancy operations and community outreach programmes.

There is real concern that detrimental economic, social and environmental impact from Covid-19 will lead to an increased poaching and security threat.

Loisaba Conservancy

Despite the 50% reduction in operating budget from tourism and increased poaching threat, we remain resilient and are working tirelessly to protect the critical habitat that Loisaba provides, as well as the wildlife that live here. We continue to support the local clinic at Ewaso and hold outreach clinics in the communities to diagnose and treat conditions or injuries, as well as give information on COVID-19.

  • Please donate today to help maintain zero poaching levels, keep our rangers on the ground, protect endangered species and support local communities who have no access to healthcare.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

As a community focused conservancy, Lewa, alongside partners such as the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), has driven positive change in the community conservation movement across northern Kenya directly impacting over 90,000 locals. The loss of tourism and event revenue, including cancellation of the internationally renowned Lewa Safari Marathon, will result in an estimated $2.6 million (£2.1 million) loss of earnings for Lewa.

  • The Elewana Collection supports the Lifeline for Lewa initiative, a new fund created in response to the COVID-19 epidemic to bolster Lewa’s resilience at this challenging time. The fund supports 5 Core Programmes including Security, Conservation and Research; Lewa Health Programme; Women’s Micro-Credit Programme; Agriculture Programme; and Education Programme. We invite you to donate to Lifeline for Lewa.